Chargers' VJax erases doubts with 3-TD performance

San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson reacts after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter during an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010, in San Diego. Jackson caught a career-high three touchdown passes as the Chargers won 34-7. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
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San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson reacts after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter during an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010, in San Diego. Jackson caught a career-high three touchdown passes as the Chargers won 34-7. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
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San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson carries the ball into the end zone for a touchdown as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown, right, tries to stop him in the second half during an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)— AP

San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson carries the ball into the end zone for a touchdown as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown, right, tries to stop him in the second half during an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
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San Diego 
If anyone had any doubts about Vincent Jackson after a 10-game layoff due to a nasty contract dispute, they should have ended with the wide receiver's performance Thursday night.

A Pro Bowl selection last year, Jackson tied his career high with three touchdown catches in San Diego's 34-7 victory over the punchless San Francisco 49ers that kept alive the Chargers' AFC West title hopes.

Jackson's teammates raved about his performance, and the wide receiver said it was like he never left.

"I thought it was typical of V.J.," said his agent, Neil Schwartz. "That's what everyone expects Vincent Jackson to do on the football field. He's a Pro Bowler. That doesn't change."

Beyond his performance, Schwartz said it should dispel the notion that some people held that Jackson faked a calf injury early in his first game back with the Chargers. That injury, in a win at Indianapolis on Nov. 28, forced him to miss a 28-13 loss to Oakland the following week, which put the Chargers in a precarious situation in the playoff race.

"If anything, for any fan who had asked about the calf injury, it removes the doubts," Schwartz said.

Jackson could be playing in his final games with the Chargers (8-6), who need to win their final two games and have Kansas City lose once in order to clinch their fifth straight AFC West title.

Jackson's original five-year contract expired after last season. But because this is an uncapped year, he would have needed six seasons to become an unrestricted free agent.

Unhappy that he didn't get a long-term deal, Jackson refused to sign a $3,268,000, one-year tender as a restricted free agent, and stayed away until Oct. 29. He reported in time to serve a three-game suspension on the roster exempt list - he was placed there in a hardball move by general manager A.J. Smith - and then be on the active roster for the final six games to accrue a season toward unrestricted free agency.

When Jackson hadn't signed the tender by June 15, the Chargers slashed their offer to 110 percent of his 2009 salary, or $583,000. Due to the games he missed, he'll make less than $300,000 this year.

"We've always thought he was definitely worth more than the tender," Schwartz said.

With Jackson's off-field trouble - two DUIs and being cited for driving with a suspended license and expired tags on the morning of their playoff loss to the New York Jets in January - it's generally believed that the Chargers might feel it'd be risky giving him a long-term deal.

Smith didn't return a call seeking comment.

"He's always said that he wants to remain a Charger," Schwartz said.

Coach Norv Turner was asked Friday if he sees himself as a peacemaker between Jackson and Smith.

"Oh gosh, I figured we'd get some Vincent Jackson and contract questions," Turner said. "I think that those are things that'll take place after the season. I'm just excited to have Vincent here. Our players are excited to have him here. He's a good guy and he's coming back in here. I think it's good for our team and it's been good for him."